Ecclesiastes 4:7
New International Version
Again I saw something meaningless under the sun:

New Living Translation
I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun.

English Standard Version
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:

Berean Standard Bible
Again, I saw futility under the sun.

King James Bible
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

New King James Version
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:

New American Standard Bible
Then I looked again at futility under the sun.

NASB 1995
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.

NASB 1977
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun.

Amplified Bible
Then I looked again at vanity under the sun [in one of its peculiar forms].

Christian Standard Bible
Again, I saw futility under the sun:

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Again, I saw futility under the sun:

American Standard Version
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

Contemporary English Version
Once again I saw that nothing on earth makes sense.

English Revised Version
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Next, I turned to look at something pointless under the sun:

Good News Translation
I have noticed something else in life that is useless.

International Standard Version
Then I turned to re-examine something else that is pointless on earth:

Majority Standard Bible
Again, I saw futility under the sun.

NET Bible
So I again considered another futile thing on earth:

New Heart English Bible
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

World English Bible
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:

Young's Literal Translation
And I have turned, and I see a vain thing under the sun:

Smith's Literal Translation
And I turned back, and I shall see vanity under the sun.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Considering I found also another vanity under the sun:

Catholic Public Domain Version
While considering this, I also discovered another vanity under the sun.

New American Bible
Again I saw this vanity under the sun:

New Revised Standard Version
Again, I saw vanity under the sun:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then I turned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I turned and I saw futility under the sun
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So I returned, and saw vanity under the sun.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Evil of Oppression
6Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and pursuit of the wind. 7Again, I saw futility under the sun. 8There is a man all alone, without even a son or brother. And though there is no end to his labor, his eyes are still not content with his wealth: “For whom do I toil and bereave my soul of enjoyment?” This too is futile—a miserable task.…

Cross References
Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:11
Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:18-23
I hated all for which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who comes after me. / And who knows whether that man will be wise or foolish? Yet he will take over all the labor at which I have worked skillfully under the sun. This too is futile. / So my heart began to despair over all the labor that I had done under the sun. ...

Ecclesiastes 5:10
He who loves money is never satisfied by money, and he who loves wealth is never satisfied by income. This too is futile.

Ecclesiastes 6:7
All a man’s labor is for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied.

Proverbs 27:20
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Isaiah 55:2
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

Jeremiah 17:11
Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.”

Matthew 6:19-21
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. / But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. / For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:15-21
And He said to them, “Watch out! Guard yourselves against every form of greed, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” / Then He told them a parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced an abundance. / So he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, since I have nowhere to store my crops?’ ...

Mark 8:36
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

1 Timothy 6:9-10
Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:17
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.

James 4:13-14
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” / You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.


Treasury of Scripture

Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.

Psalm 78:33
Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

Zechariah 1:6
But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

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Ecclesiastes 4
1. vanity is increased unto men by oppression
4. by envy
5. by idleness
7. by covetousness
9. by solitariness
13. by willfulness














Again, I saw
The repetition of "again" indicates the ongoing nature of the observations made by the author, traditionally believed to be Solomon. This suggests a continuous search for meaning and understanding in life. Solomon, known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive experiences, often revisits themes to emphasize their importance. His repeated observations highlight the persistent and universal nature of the issues he addresses.

futility
The term "futility" is often translated as "vanity" or "meaninglessness" in other versions. It reflects the Hebrew word "hevel," which conveys a sense of emptiness or transience. This concept is central to Ecclesiastes, where the author explores the fleeting and often unsatisfying nature of worldly pursuits. The idea of futility is echoed in Romans 8:20, where creation is subjected to frustration, pointing to the fallen state of the world and the need for redemption.

under the sun
This phrase is a key motif in Ecclesiastes, appearing numerous times throughout the book. It refers to the earthly, temporal realm as opposed to the eternal, divine perspective. The phrase underscores the limitations of human understanding and the often perplexing nature of life when viewed solely from a worldly standpoint. It serves as a reminder of the contrast between earthly experiences and the eternal truths found in God. The phrase "under the sun" also connects to the broader biblical narrative, where the ultimate fulfillment and purpose are found in Christ, who offers eternal life beyond the temporal struggles of this world.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Ecclesiastes, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Ecclesiastes is often attributed to him as a reflection on the meaning of life and the pursuit of fulfillment.

2. Israel
The nation of Israel serves as the backdrop for Solomon's writings. The societal and cultural context of ancient Israel provides insight into the themes of labor, wealth, and human relationships explored in Ecclesiastes.

3. The Preacher (Qoheleth)
The term "Qoheleth" is often translated as "The Preacher" or "The Teacher." This character is the voice of Ecclesiastes, sharing observations and reflections on life.
Teaching Points
The Futility of Isolation
Ecclesiastes 4:7 highlights the emptiness of a life lived in isolation. The Hebrew word "hevel" (often translated as "vanity" or "meaningless") suggests a vapor or breath, indicating the fleeting and insubstantial nature of solitary pursuits.

The Value of Companionship
The passage implicitly contrasts the futility of isolation with the value of companionship. In a world that often glorifies individual achievement, this serves as a reminder of the biblical call to community and mutual support.

The Pursuit of Meaning
Solomon's reflections encourage us to seek meaning beyond material success and personal gain. True fulfillment is found in relationships and in living according to God's purposes.

The Role of Work in Life
While work is a necessary part of life, Ecclesiastes challenges us to consider the purpose and end of our labor. Are we working for self-glorification, or are we contributing to the well-being of others and the glory of God?(7) Then I returned.--The vanity of toil is especially apparent in the case of a solitary man. It is possible, as has been suggested (see Ecclesiastes 2:18), that this may have been the writer's own case. The following verses, which speak of the advantages of friendship and unity, are of a more cheerful tone than the rest of the book.

Verses 7-12. - Thirdly, avarice causes isolation and a sense of insecurity, and brings no satisfaction. Verse 7. - Then I returned. Another reflection serves to confirm the uselessness of human efforts. The vanity under the sun is now avarice, with the evils that accompany it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Again,
וְשַׁ֧בְתִּי (wə·šaḇ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

I
אֲנִ֛י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

saw
וָאֶרְאֶ֥ה (wā·’er·’eh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

futility
הֶ֖בֶל (he·ḇel)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1892: Emptiness, vanity, transitory, unsatisfactory

under
תַּ֥חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

the sun.
הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃ (haš·šā·meš)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 8121: The sun, the east, a ray, a notched battlement


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OT Poetry: Ecclesiastes 4:7 Then I returned and saw vanity under (Ecclesiast. Ec Ecc Eccles.)
Ecclesiastes 4:6
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